For NRL players, the pre-season must seem like it goes forever. Whilst I get my footy fix from watching the squad prepare for the season ahead, the players have been counting down the days to get to the real stuff.…
Eels Pre-Season Training – February 11: Alice Springs Edition
As ridiculous as it seems, the players left behind in Parramatta were probably facing hotter conditions today than those who’ve travelled to Alice Springs. With a 7am start at Saleyards, the worst of the heat was avoided, but there was…
Eels Pre-Season Training – February 2: Skill-a-palooza
The Auckland Nines takes centre stage this weekend and the Eels have dispatched an almighty squad to defend their title. With this multi-million dollar line up winging its way across the ditch, a group of just over 20 players was…
Eels Pre-Season Training – February 1: Awesome For Auckland
If Monday was a mongrel of a session to attend, today was its antithesis. Cooler overcast conditions, plenty of sharp ball work and the opportunity to catch up with some players and staff – it all added up to a…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 30: Hot! Hot! Hot!
I’m not going to mince words. That was a mongrel of a session to watch. Even with an early start, the heat had me close to pulling up stumps and heading off for a morning sherbet. Still, the effort from…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 26: (Or What I Did On Australia Day)
Where to begin? There was almost too much to take in this morning, so much so that I almost considered not writing a report. To be honest, I’m not sure that any write up would do it justice. Action aplenty,…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 24: Afternoon Delight
In a change to routine, the Eels squad hit the fields late in the day for a skills/agility session. Under cooler, grey skies the players went through their paces to deliver another session that was sure to challenge the selection…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 23: The Heat Is On!
Toughest pre-season ever? Every league fan is used to that hackneyed phrase. The reality is that every NRL coach would be looking for their season preparations to be a step up on the year before. A more accurate terminology would…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 20: The Ole Switcheroo!
The end of another week of the pre-season is upon us, and the players were probably glad to see the back of this one. No doubt the squad were feeling the strain of the physically demanding conditioning and the relentless…
Eels Pre-Season Training – January 19: Blood Brothers
Under much cooler grey skies the Parramatta squad took to the Saleyards fields for today’s skills/conditioning session. The spectators in attendance were duly treated to some impressive team and individual performances as the players continued their build up for the…